Tokyo, July 3 (SANA)A Syrian delegation has begun an official visit toJapanaimed at boosting cooperation onreconstructionandearly recoverythrough closer engagement with theJapan International Cooperation Agency(JICA), Syria’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing said on Friday.

The delegation is headed by Imad al-Masri, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing for Planning and Studies, and includes representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, the governorates of Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo, as well as Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Japan Abdulwahab Mohammad Agha.

The visit began with a tour of Kobe to examine Japan’s reconstruction experience following the 1995 earthquake, focusing on urban planning, reconstruction policies, and legislation that supported the city’s recovery.

The delegation also visited a disaster risk reduction and earthquake management center to learn about Japan’s disaster management system and risk mitigation measures, with a view to applying relevant expertise to Syria’s reconstruction and urban development efforts.

JICA is one of Japan’s leading international development agencies, supporting capacity-building and development programs in partner countries, with extensive experience in disaster management and post-disaster recovery.